I am excited to announce that we are next University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener training class begins this spring!

Training begins April 17 and is held one day a week until June 19. All sessions are held on Tuesdays, and all classes run 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Training includes both classroom lectures and outdoor activities.

Master Gardeners learn how to improve home landscapes, grow their own food, care for household plants, and manage pests. Our 10-week training program teaches all about fruits and vegetables, trees and flowers, landscape design, plant disease, botany, insects, turfgrass, and soils. Classes are taught by University of Illinois Educators and Specialists at various locations, including the Pekin and Peoria Extension offices, Illinois Central College, and more.

To be considered for the 2018 training class or for additional information contact Ian Goslin, University of Illinois Extension program coordinator, at ianmg@illinois.edu or 309-347-6614.

Training costs $250 and includes a comprehensive manual and all training materials. Trainees receive over 60 hours of education and then volunteer that time back by working and educating others in their communities.

Master Gardeners are a special group of people who all have a common interest – a love of gardening and nature and the desire to share that knowledge with others. In 2017, 126 University of Illinois Master Gardeners serving Fulton, Mason Peoria, and Tazewell counties reported spending over 11,000 hours "Helping Others Learn to Grow" in their local communities. In dollars, these wonderful volunteers have provided local residents with over $266,000 worth of educational services (based on the current Independent Sector rate). Wow!

Volunteer activities include Luthy Botanical Garden in Peoria County, The Giving Garden in Tazewell County, Junior Master Gardener leadership in Mason County, and Jones Park in Fulton County. Master Gardeners also provide education through the Garden HelpLine, at the Peoria Home Show informational booth, during Tazewell County's Plant Bingo event, at the Gardeners' Big Day event in Fulton county, and much more.